NEW DELHI: “From each drop of tears, gold medals are dripping.”Prime Minister Narendra Modi had an emotional message for Mirabai Chanu as he interacted with India’s Commonwealth Video games 2026 medal winners at his residence on Sunday, reflecting on the sacrifices behind the nation’s profitable marketing campaign in Glasgow.Modi hosted the medal-winning contingent at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg and heard athletes recount a few of the moments that outlined their journeys on the Video games. India returned from Glasgow with 39 medals, together with 13 gold, 17 silver and 9 bronze, ending fourth within the total standings.Throughout one of many conversations, Modi recalled the emotional scenes surrounding Mirabai’s gold-medal triumph.“Tears had been falling from you. I really feel as if from each drop of tears, gold medals are dripping,” Modi advised the Olympic silver medallist.
Mirabai recollects 4 years of battle
Mirabai, who gained gold in Glasgow, opened up concerning the troublesome journey that preceded her Commonwealth Video games triumph, together with the frustration of the Paris Olympics.“I used to be very pleased, and emotional too. That day the happiness was larger and I cried as a result of on the Paris Olympics, I misplaced a medal by 1 kg. In a participant’s life what all we’ve got to face. So inside these 4 years, how a lot and what all I had confronted, each time accidents had been happening and all that was taking place. So with nice issue I had confronted these 4 years. So when all that occurred, on the rostrum after I stood, sir, and when our flag goes up and our nationwide anthem performs, sir, we can not cease, sir, tears come out on their very own,” she stated.Modi responded by highlighting the broader impression of the athletes’ achievements.“This is excellent. It’s not as if this achievement of yours is taken into account solely your achievement; your victory turns into a really huge inspiration for the approaching generations.”
‘One household will carry three medals’
The casual interplay additionally noticed athletes share lighter and deeply private moments from their Glasgow campaigns.Modi reminded para shot put gold medallist Sharmila Dhankar of a promise she had made earlier.“You made a promise. Final time, yours, each daughters will change into gamers,” Modi stated with a smile.Dhankar replied: “Haanji, proper now they’re younger in age. Within the subsequent Commonwealth, one household will carry 3 medals.”Males’s 100m T47 gold medallist Dilip Gavit, in the meantime, spoke about dedicating his efficiency to his guru.“After I was operating, when my occasion was on twenty ninth (July), that day was Guru Purnima, in order that day I gave a present to my guru,” he was heard saying within the video.In one other video posted by Modi, gold medallist boxer Sakshi Chaudhary launched herself and the contingent.“Hiya pals! That is Sakshi Chaudhary. As we speak, our honourable Prime Minister has invited us, the Commonwealth Video games medalists, and we really feel very proud. We’re extraordinarily pleased to have met him; he’s very humble. Sir, would you prefer to say one thing?” she stated.Modi replied with a message that summed up his interplay with the athletes: “Jo khelega, woh khilega” (The one who performs, will blossom). “All the time cheer for Bharat.”
India’s Glasgow success
India’s fourth-place end got here regardless of a considerably smaller contingent and a lowered sporting programme in comparison with Birmingham 2022. India despatched 122 athletes to Glasgow, in comparison with 210 in Birmingham, whereas 30 of its 61 medals in 2022 got here in sports activities that weren’t a part of the Glasgow programme.Regardless of these limitations, India retained its fourth-place place and improved its medal conversion fee, with 38 athletes returning dwelling with medals. Lengthy-distance runner Gulveer Singh was the one Indian athlete to win two medals.The Glasgow Video games concluded after 11 days, with Scotland handing over the Commonwealth Video games flag and ceremonial baton to India forward of the 2030 version in Ahmedabad.The symbols had been handed to Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra, Indian Olympic Affiliation president PT Usha and Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi throughout the closing ceremony.Ahmedabad will change into solely the second Indian metropolis to host the Commonwealth Video games after New Delhi staged the 2010 version.
